Mode of constructing mail axles and hubs



A. E. SMITH.

Sand-Band.

No 16,404. V Patentd Jan. 13; 1557 Km PHOTOLH'HOUAPHER. WbSHIHGTON. D.C-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED E. SMITH, OF BRONXVILLE, NEW YORK.

MODE OF GONSTRUGTING MAIL AXLES AND HUBS.

Specification of Letters Patent No.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED E. SMITH, of Bronxville, county ofVVestchester, and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Mail- Axles for Carriages; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being made to the annexed drawing, making a part ofthis specification, which is a side view or elevation partly in section.

My invention consists in so constructing the parts of a mail axle thatas the washers wear down by use the said parts may still be screwedclosely up, thus enabling the wheel to run always as steadily as atfirst.

As usually constructed the mail axle has a fillet or collar as it iscalled, raised upon it at the shoulder, serving the double purpose ofaffording a suitable bearing for the back holding plate or flange, andof receiving over it the inner end of the box of the wheel, which box iscountersunk to such extent as will take in this collar, thereby breakingthe joint for the purpose of keeping out the dust etc. The wheel is kepton, as is well known, by bolts passing through the flange which isbehind the collar, and between the flange and the collar a washer ofleather is interposed to save their surfaces and prevent arring. Thiswasher receives also against its outer part, the inner end of the box.Now as both the box and the flange revolve together, that washer, beingdrawn at its outer portion by the bolts closely between the box and theflange, necessarily revolveswith those. The collar however on the axleis stationary, and hence that portion of the washer in contact with itis ground out, while the outer portion does not wear at all. Thispermits the axle to have longitudinal play in the box, causing stillmore wear to that washer,

as well as unpleasant jarring to the vehicle.

16,404, dated January 13, 1857.

The washer can not be replaced without cutting the axle, nor can theparts be more closely screwed up, and it is this objection which myinvention is particularly designed to obviate, although by it I am alsoenabled to reduce the size of the hub or to cut away less of the wood ifdesired.

I construct the collar of the ordinary diameter, but make it somewhatthicker as shown at (a) and in the face of this I turn out an annualrgroove (6) as near to the outer edge as the strength of the metal willpermit. The end of the box (0) is received into this groove, thusforming the desired joint, and washer of leather is put into the groove,and another (Z) between the flange and the collar, as usual.

The operation will be as follows: The bearing of the end of the box (0)will now be against a stationary washer, but this when worn can bereadily replaced by merely taking off the wheel, while the wear of boththe washers can now be compensated for by setting up the nuts on thebolts which hold the wheel, thus making it run at any time as quietly aswhen new. The holes in the holding plate may now be brought nearer tothe center or the bearing of the collar against it may be enlarged asdesired.

I claim The herein described method of constructing a mail-axle that isto say making the end of the box abut against the inner side of thecollar instead of against the holding plate, whereby the wear of thewasher be-.

tween the collar and the holding plate may be compensated for by settingup the bolts, substantially in the manner as set forth.

ALFRED E. SMITH.

Witnesses:

' J. P. PIRSSON,

S. M. MAYNARD.

